CBS Sports' NFL TODAY studio analyst and former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bill Cowher, and NFL ON CBS game analyst and former Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the St. Louis Cardinals, Dan Dierdorf, give their thoughts on Super Bowl XLIII.  

BILL COWHER

Keys to Super Bowl XLIII: The key to any game is the turnover situation.  Kurt Warner has proven throughout the playoffs that he's not only played productive football, but he's played smart football.  The Cardinals have run the ball enough to make the play-action work, and a big key from Arizona's standpoint will be not to turn it over against the best pressure defense in the National Football League.

On having quarterbacks on each side that have both won Super Bowls: Playing in your first Super Bowl is quite an experience.  The fact that Ben Roethlisberger was just there three years ago, I would be surprised if he didn't play well.  Throughout this year Ben has proven what type of quarterback he is particularly in the fourth quarter.  That is what has been most impressive.  The fact that both Kurt Warner and Ben have played in the Super Bowl before will lend itself to both of them not letting the stage get too big.

On Arizona Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt: I'm happy for Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm, Kevin Spencer, Mike Miller, all of those guys.  What Kenny has done is turn around a culture in that city and with that football team.  The run they have made is nothing less than spectacular.  Certainly you would like that to culminate with a victory.  Without a doubt he has changed the whole persona of the Arizona Cardinals franchise and its history with this year.

On Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin: Mike Tomlin has come in and put his blueprints on this team.  Certainly with Dick LeBeau and the same staff that was there three years ago in that Super Bowl, one can argue that Dick's defense this year is one of the greatest defenses of all time.  When you look at the starters on this football team, I believe 15 of them were there three years ago.  So there is a lot of experience.  The experience factor will be big.  Mike has been to one Super Bowl as an assistant.  That will help him tremendously.

On experience: From a player's standpoint, the experience goes to Pittsburgh.  But from a coach's standpoint, there is a lot of experience on both sides of the ball.  I couldn't be happier for both staffs.

DAN DIERDORF

On Cardinals making Super Bowl: I'm thrilled and delighted.  You don't want to be a part of that graphic that is put up when someone talks about how long it's been since a certain team has or hasn't won a playoff game, or how long it's been since they've had a playoff game at home.  This current edition of the Cardinals team has removed the Cardinals from that list.  Now the list just got a little smaller and for that I'm grateful.  I'm proud and happy for them since it's the only team I played for during my 13-year career in the NFL.  Even though it was here in St. Louis and now they're in Arizona, it's still the same organization.  I played for the Bidwill family, have known them all of my adult life and am very proud of them.

Keys to Super Bowl XLIII: The Cardinals are decided underdogs in this game on so many different levels.  It's going to be harder for them because it's their first time in the Super Bowl.  Granted Kurt Warner has been there before, but the vast majority of these guys haven't.  They can't act like tourists in New York City staring up at all of the tall skyscrapers.  They can't get caught looking up because the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be looking down.  The Steelers are going to have their eyes fixed on what they have to do to win this game.

On Expectations: The Steelers went to training camp fully expecting to be where they are.  I don't know that anyone went to training camp for the Cardinals expecting to go to the Super Bowl.  There is a big psychological difference there.  Hopefully the leadership they get from Kurt Warner and Ken Whisenhunt, and members of his coaching staff, who have been to and played in Super Bowls both as players and coaches, like Russ Grimm, will be able to pass that experience along to the rest of the team and they will take their cue.

On Super Bowl XLIII: The rule of thumb that I've always found in my career is that whenever a really good offense meets a really good defense, more often than not it's the defense that usually wins.  It just seems to work out that way.  There is so much riding on Kurt Warner's ability to engineer a passing game.  That is the only way for the Cardinals to be successful against Pittsburgh.  The Cardinals are not capable of running the ball for 200 yards against the Steelers.  Despite Edgerrin James' recent success, they are a passing team.  They have to throw the ball, and throw it well if they are going to win.  I'm not sure they can do that against this Steelers defense.  It's going to have to come down to Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.  Somebody is going to have to repeatedly make big, big, highlight film-kind of plays against the Steelers for the Cardinals to win.  

On Steelers' defense: They are so good.  Their pressure is extraordinary but their coverage is excellent as well.  They are good at all three levels defensively.  They have outstanding play at the line.  They're strong on the corners.  They're strong at the safety with Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu, and of course the Dick LeBeau factor.  They are fun to watch defensively.

On Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger: Ben Roethlisberger is looking for redemption in this game.  I doubt there is another player in this world wearing a Super Bowl ring that looks at it quite the way Ben Roethlisberger looks at his.  He was so disappointed in his performance in winning Super Bowl XL.  He is seeking redemption in this game and will be a man on a mission.

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